Administrators have been formally appointed at Durham High School, which was suddenly closed last week, leaving 281 pupils and their families uncertain. Philip Watkins and Mark Hodgett of FRP Advisory will manage the process to wind down the school's affairs.
Administrators Confirm Redundancies
The pair are now joint administrators of Durham Education Limited, the company that operates the school and was part of the Chinese-based Global Galaxy Education (GGE). In a statement, the administrators confirmed that most of the school's employees have been made redundant, with only a small team retained to assist pupils and families. Those affected are being helped to access the Government's Redundancy Payments Service.
Background to the Closure
GGE announced last Wednesday that the school would close at the end of term, just days later. Staff, pupils, and their families have been left uncertain about the future, with figures including Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy calling the move 'abhorrent.' The National Education Union (NEU) raised concerns about the redundancy process, noting that staff were told they would be unlikely to receive their full contractual notice payments due to the school's financial position.
Reasons for Closure
According to GGE, the decision was not taken lightly. Over many months, every realistic option to secure the school's future was explored, including discussions with another education provider that continued until the weekend before the announcement. The company stated that cumulative pressures rendered the school 'no longer financially sustainable' and rejected allegations that it had acquired schools for property or development purposes, calling the suggestion 'entirely without foundation.'
Next Steps
Decisions regarding the future of the Durham High School site will now rest with the joint administrators. GGE added that its priority remains supporting pupils, families, and staff through the difficult period, working closely with local schools to help pupils continue their education with minimal disruption and ensuring examination-year students receive ongoing support.
